Barring an unlikely intervention from NBA Jerseys Fifa with regards the Thierry Henry handball controversy the 32 World Cup finalists are now known and South Africa 2010 promises to be the best yet.
Spain, the current European champions, head the betting and deservedly so but Brazil, a standout 5/1 with Paddy Power, are always the team to beat and that pair look head and shoulders above the rest to me.
Of the challengers the main threat appears to come from Europe. England, generally 6/1 for glory, have become difficult to beat under Fabio Capello while Germany and defending champions Italy can never be written off on the biggest stage of all.
That pair currently trade at 12/1 and 14/1 respectively but Holland looked better equipped to me at similar prices providing their key players remain fit.
France, who disposed of Ireland so fortuitously in the playoffs, are easily dismissed at a laughably short 14/1 with Stan James and likewise Argentina. I saw plenty of Diego Maradona’s men throughout South American qualifying and no sane punter could surely consider backing them, despite the presence of Lionel Messi, at the 8/1 on offer at William Hill.
Portugal, who will have the world’s best player in Cristiano Ronaldo to call upon, have a fantastic recent record in major finals and will have their backers at the current 20/1 with Extrabet but the advice is to stick with those at the head of the market as well as a couple of lively outsiders.
I can see why Ivory Coast are so popular, those on at 50/1 or bigger have themselves an excellent bet, but the price has surely gone and the two that interest me are USA (125/1, Coral) and Australia (100/1). Both stormed through qualifying, will be well rested and have already proven themselves, to some extent, on the big stage.
The Socceroos were unfortunate to lose to eventual champions Italy at World Cup 2006 while Landon Donovan’s side were a whisker away from beating Brazil to snatch the Confederations Cup, having disposed of Spain in the last four, this summer.
Plenty of people are talking up the chances of Chile (50/1) but I remain far from convinced they are good enough although we saw just how far decent defending and organisation can take you when Greece (150/1, Victor Chandler) triumphed at Euro 2004.
That style of play brings the likes of Denmark (100/1, Bet 365) into the equation but much will, of course, depend on the draw which takes place on December 4 and this looks as wide open a World Cup as I can remember. Nobody could confidently rule out any more than eight nations as complete no-hopers and I simply cannot wait for things to get underway.
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